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ESA Details 'Essential Facts' About the Canadian Video Game Industry

A new report from the Entertainment Software Association of Canada, released today, details the growing video game market in Canada. The report focuses on Canadian spending and gameplay habits, as well as an outline of developers dog-sledding to work in the Great White North.

According to "2010 Essential Facts about the Canadian Computer and Video Game Industry" [PDF Link], 96% of Canadian households own a computer while 47% of homes own at least one video game console. The average age of the Canadian gamer is 33 years old, compared to 34 in the United States [ESA 2010 Stats PDF]. Males make up for 62% of all gamers in Canada versus 38% female gamers. In America, 40% of gamers are female.

Gamers in the frozen tundra that is Canada do most of their gaming on PC (49%) versus 34% on console, 10% on handheld systems (PSP, Nintendo DS), and 7% on mobile devices.

The report claims that Canada houses the third "most successful video industry in the world," second to the United States and Japan [ESA.ca April 2010 Stats PDF]. Canadian "developers and publishers generate $2 billion in annual revenue and contribute to $1.7 billion in direct economic activity to the Canadian economy."

The Canadian video game industry employs "14,000 people in high-paying jobs," spread throughout the 247 "establishments" across the cold, unforgiving nation. The report also claims that "Canada is expected to be the fastest growing entertainment and media market in North America with 5% annual growth."

So, gaming is popular in Canada. It's not really surprising, since leaving your house in Canada almost assuredly leads to being buried alive in a mountain of snow.

Note: The editor who wrote this story is Canadian, so he's allowed to make fun of the country.